Stress, fears, depression: how stressed a pregnant woman is is revealed by her saliva. US researchers have found that the bacterial community in the mouth changes depending on symptoms. Which also gives hope for light relief.
It is easy to understand that a woman’s health during pregnancy affects her unborn child. But it is not only physical condition that plays a role, but also mental health. To better assess the impact of stress or depression, a US research team has now analyzed saliva samples.
Esteem mental health 15 to 20%. of pregnant women is unbalanced. As new research shows, the bacterial flora in the mouth and throat reflects whether a pregnant woman suffers from anxiety, depression, stress or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A team from Michigan State University has found that the number and type of microbes in the saliva of pregnant women depend on whether or not they suffer from the corresponding symptoms.
The study, currently published in the journal “BMJ Mental Health” appearedestablishes a connection for the first time: between mothers’ mental health and their oral flora, the oral microbiome or “oral biome”.224 women in the second trimester of pregnancy who were part of the long-term cohort “Michigan Prenatal Stress Study” took part in this study.They took a mental health check and provided saliva samples.
“Good mental health is critical to mothers’ well-being and their ability to compassionately care for their children,” said Joseph Lonstein,an MSU psychology professor who led the study. The neurobiologist and his colleagues hoped that their study could stimulate other research groups. To take a closer look at how microbes in and on the human body are linked to mental health, and not just that of mothers.
And not just with a focus on intestinal flora: the newer ones Studies suggest that the oral biome can influence both neurobiological functions and mental health. In the cases currently examined,the microbiome of the mouth and throat varied greatly depending on the psychological state.
Indeed, a high level of “alpha diversity” was demonstrated in women suffering severely from anxiety or depressive symptoms: their samples contained a relatively high number of microbial species – in similar quantities. A modified “beta diversity” was once again typical of women with pronounced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder: specific microbes were found in their saliva; Though, different types than samples of women with only mild PTSD symptoms.
Poor mental health,stress,anxiety or depression affect the concentrations in which certain types of microbes are present in saliva. While women are generally the heterogeneous group of Firmicutes dominates, this changes with pregnancy: in the oral cavity of healthy pregnant women, more Proteobacteria are found, which is suspected to make the blood-brain barrier more permeable to germs and thus cause inflammatory reactions.
These microbes thrive in conditions of acute stress, while so-called spirochetes have been increasingly found in severely depressed women. Representatives of the bacterial genus Dialister are common when pregnant women suffer from anxiety or depression. and the Eikenella genus has also been associated with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to the US researchers,all this data offers the opportunity to intervene delicately in the future: their findings would suggest that psychological well-being during pregnancy could be improved with the help of microorganisms. And not only through the probiotic treatment of mothers’ intestinal microbiome, which some studies have already shown successfully to reduce anxiety and depression relieve allow.
the microbiome of the mouth and throat also appears to be closely related to mental health, but in a different way than the gut flora. That is why the Michigan team now advocates that the oral biome be included in relevant studies in the future and that it be supported specifically: through dietary changes, improved oral hygiene and probiotics. Stressed or mentally stressed pregnant women could benefit – and their babies.
How can monitoring the oral microbiome improve prenatal care for expectant mothers?
Interview Date: October 25, 2023
Interviewer: Welcome, Dr. Joseph Lonstein, psychology professor at Michigan State University and lead researcher of a groundbreaking study exploring the impact of mental health on the oral microbiome of pregnant women. Thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Lonstein: Thank you for having me. it’s a pleasure to discuss our findings with you.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Your research has shed light on the connection between mental health and the oral microbiome during pregnancy. Can you elaborate on how you discovered that the oral bacterial community changes in response to stress or depression in expectant mothers?
Dr. Lonstein: Absolutely. We conducted a study with 224 women in their second trimester,all participants in the Michigan Prenatal Stress Study. We analyzed their saliva samples and assessed their mental health through standardized checks. What emerged was quite revealing; the composition of their oral bacteria varied substantially depending on weather they reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress.
Interviewer: that’s interesting! What implications do you think this discovery might have for managing pregnant women’s health?
Dr. Lonstein: Our findings suggest that monitoring the oral microbiome could serve as a new method for assessing mental health in pregnant women. If we can identify mental health issues early through changes in their oral bacteria, we could potentially intervene sooner, providing better care not just for the mothers but also for the developing babies.
Interviewer: Given that mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being,how does this study contribute to our understanding of the maternal-fetal relationship?
Dr. Lonstein: Historically, much of the focus has been on the physical health of the mother and its impact on the fetus. Our research underscores that mental health is equally crucial and intricately linked to physical health and well-being. A mother’s emotional state can have profound effects on her capacity to care for her child and can also influence fetal progress.
Interviewer: That leads me to ask about potential interventions. How do you envision utilizing this research to inspire future studies and treatments focusing on mental health in pregnant women?
Dr. Lonstein: We hope this study stimulates further research into the microbiome’s role in mental health more broadly, not just in pregnant women, but in all populations.Understanding these connections could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, perhaps even through dietary changes or probiotics aimed at optimizing oral and mental health together.
Interviewer: it sounds like a holistic approach could transform prenatal care. Are there specific next steps in your research that you’re particularly excited about?
Dr. Lonstein: Yes! We are keen to explore the microbiome in relation to mental health across different demographics, including non-pregnant individuals. There’s a vast landscape of potential connections, and I believe we’re just scratching the surface.
Interviewer: It’s exciting to think about the broader applications of your research. Before we conclude, what final message would you like to share with our readers regarding mental health during pregnancy?
Dr. Lonstein: It’s vital to recognize that mental health care should be an integral part of prenatal care.Pregnant women should feel empowered to discuss their mental well-being openly with their healthcare providers.Addressing these issues not only benefits the mother but also sets a positive foundation for the child’s health and development.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Lonstein, for your insights and for the incredible work you’re doing in this field. We look forward to seeing how your research evolves.
Dr.Lonstein: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss our work.